. >> john: is it more polarized now than it was under president clinton? i will say that president bush after 9-11 sort of had cart blanch he controlled the house and the senate and the democrats were much more given to supporting his agenda following that crisis and attack on our nation. so is it really that unprecedented or does seem like over the last three administrations, it is okay as long as you give us, the republicans, what we want? >> it's not totally unprecedented. what's pretty clear is this particular congress, particularly coming after the last round of redistricting and with the rise of the tea party and the conservative branch of the republican party this is conservative with republicans pretty far to the right. democrats who frankly in many cases, particularly in the house are pretty far to the left. >> john: well, rick, it is true. it is nice to remember we do have democrats who are liberal in the house. is this another taste of the republican party doubling down on obstructionism? the policy that does not work for them in 2012? >> i don'